Electrolytic condenser



May 22, 1934. DANZIGER 1,959,780

ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSER Filed March 13, 1931 INVENTOR @vfll BY Patented May 22, 1934 UNITED) STATES ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSER Harold I. Danziger, New York, N. Y., assignor to Condenser Corporation of America, Jersey City, N. J.,' a corporation of New York Application March 13, 1931, Serial No. 522,228

4 Claims.

trical condensers, and has particular reference to certain improvements in connection with condensers of the electrolytic type.

5 The general type of electrical condenser to which my present invention appertains is disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 439,578, filed March 28, 1930, and consists briefly of a container adapted to accommodate electrolyte, and an electrode immersed in the electrolyte and usually formed of a spirally wound strip or sheet of aluminum having a very thin dielectric coating of electrolytically deposited material.

In a condenser of the foregoing general character, it is usually customary, if not essential, to provide venting means for the interior of the electrolyte container for the purpose of enabling some. of the gases which form above the electrolyte to escape from the container under excessive pressure conditions. A simple perforation in the upper wall of the container would accomplish this object, except that it would ex-- pose the interior of the container to the atmosphere, which is undesirable for obvious reasons. Furthermore, it would be impractical to handle or ship condensers having such perforations for the reason that the electrolyte would seep through the opening whenever the condenser was turned on its side or upside-down.

It is a general object of my present invention to provide an electrolytic condenser wherein the venting means is of an improved character, simple in structural nature, efficient and reliable in fulfilling its contemplated functions, and exceptionally staunch.

One feature of my invention lies in providing a venting aperture or the like in association with a cap which normally keeps the vent closed but 40 which permits egress or escape of vapors or gas under excessive pressure conditions within the container.

A further and important feature of my inven- My present invention relates generally to elec-' ing such cap in proper position, while at the same time permitting the cap to function in the proper manner for venting purposes.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, the electrolyte container is substantially cylindrical or tubular, and the container is adapted to be mounted upon a supporting platform in a substantially upright position, the vent being associated with the top end wall and usually, but not necessarily, at the midportion thereof. In accordance with one of the features of my invention, this end wall is provided with a depression in which the venting portions are arranged, whereby it may be statedthat the end wall is provided with a countersunk vent.

Another general object of my invention is to provide a condenser having the advantageous characteristics hereinbefore referred to, in conjunction with other advantageous features and characteristics relating to the general structural nature of the condenser and its method of mounting. More especially, I aim to provide a condenser having, among other things, the desirable features of structure and use which are more fully set forth in my aforementioned co-pending application, and provided further with the improved venting characteristics to be hereinafter more fully discussed.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an elevational cross-sectional view through an electrolytic condenser of the present character, and embodying the features of the present invention, mounted upon a supporting chassis or the like;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the vent of Figure 1; and

Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views similar to Figure 2, respectively showing different modifications.

v In Figure 1, I have shown an electrolytic condenser structure of the general character de-' scribed in my said co-pending application, and consisting of a substantially cylindrical or tubular electrolyte container 10 of relatively. thin yet strong sheet material, such as sheet aluminum. This container has a bottom wall 11 and a top wall 12, and in the illustrated .form the top wall 12 has been shown as a separate element or disc spun into engagement at its pe-v riphery, as at 13, with the upper edge of the container 10, thereby imparting a beaded rim to this top wall. This particular construction of 110 the top wall is not essential but is in many cases preferable for commercial reasons.

The bottom wall 11 is provided with a hollow depending attachment neck 14 of reduced diameter which is exteriorly threaded and interiorly tapered, although, obviously, this particular arrangement and these particular details are not absolutely essential and may be varied to suit differing requirements. In the form illustrated, this particular construction has been shown by way of example to illustrate the manner in which the condenser may be mounted upona supporting chassis or platform 15 having an opening 16 through which the neck 14 is adapted to extend.

Where the bottom wall 11 is of conductive material, as in the form shown, and where the platform 15 is of conductive material, as in Figure 1, and where it is desirable to establish electrical connection with the container 10 beneath the chassis, and consequently desirable to insulate the container 10 and the bottom wall 11 from the platform 15, I prefer to employ a pair of spacing elements or insulating discs 17 and 18 above and below the platform 15 in the manner illustrated. The disc 1'7, for example, is substantially co-extensive in area with that of the bottom wall 11, so that it underlies the latter and affords a firm and secure support for the latter while at the same time insulating it and keeping it spaced from the platform 15. The lower element 18 is of substantially the same character. Each of these members 17 and 18 is preferably provided at its midportion with an annular extrusion or enlargement, as shown at 19, which is adapted to extend part-way into the opening 16 for the purpose not only of properly positioning these elements in concentric relationship with respect to this opening, but also to facilitate the centering of the neck 14 in this opening and to insure the proper spacing and insulating of the neck 14 from the material of the platform 15.

Beneath the chassis an attachment nut or the like 20 is adapted to engage around the neck 14 for the purpose of securing the container to the platform 15, and an electrical connecting tab 21 is preferably arranged in contact with the neck 14 between the nut 20 and the disc 18.

Within the container is the electrolyte 22 which may be of any suitable or customary ma terial, of liquid, or semi-liquid, orsemi-solid composition, and within this electrolyte is an electrode 23 in the form of a substantially cylindrical body formed of a spirally coiled aluminumsheet or strip, electrolytically coated The electrode 23 is supported upon a rod 24 of conductive material which is adapted to extend downwardly out of the container through the neck 14; and for the purpose of enabling the rod to be associated in liquid-tight relationship with the neck 14, I prefer to taper the rod at the lower portion thereof so as to engage it snugly within. the tapered neck 14.

At its lower end, the rod 24 is preferably threaded exteriorly to receive an attachment nut or the like 25, and'to insulate this nut from the end of the neck 14 I prefer to interpose a series of washers 26 in the manner shown, at least one of these washers being of insulating material.

furthermore, I provide an insulating sheath or sleeve 2*? around the lower portion of the rod 24 to ate the rod from the neck is and to facilitate its liquid-tight wedged relationship wit the neck, this sheath being preferably extended upwardly into the container for a short 'material, such as rubber.

connection to be made beneath the platform 15 with the rod 24, and hence with the electrode 23. The corresponding and complementary electrical connection to the other terminal of the condenser, viz., the container 10, may be made at the tab 21.

In the space 30, above the level of the electrolyte 22, air and gases will form and collect and, undercertain conditions, the pressure of these gases may exceed a predetermined desirable or safe maximum. To permit the escape or venting of these gases under such conditions, I pro-, vide a venting device of the character more clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

It is to be noted that the wall 12 is formed in a substantially concave manner, tapering or converging dcwnwardly and gradually toward the midportion thereof. At the center I have shown the wall extruded to form an upwardly projecting protuberance 31 having a perforation or opening 32 therein. Around this protuberance the wall 12 is bent, as at 33, to form an annular groove. A cap 34 is applied to the protuberance 31, and this cap is usually and preferably of soft and resilient It is provided with a pinhole 35 which is normally closed, despite the fact that it has been shown open in the various figures of the drawing for-purposes of illustration.

The lower free edge of the cap 34 is accommodated within the groove formed by the bent portions 33; and in accordance with my present invention, I prefer to clench the cap within this groove, as, for example, by clenching inwardly with a revolving'tool at the points designated by the reference numeral 36. This holds the cap 34 firmly and permanently in position.

The opening 35, as above mentioned, is normally closed by virtue of the fact that the cap 34 is of soft resilient material, and, as a result, the interior of the container is. under. normal conditions, sealed from the atmosphere. The container may therefore be handled and shipped with great facility without any likelihood of damage to the interior of the container or likelihood of loss or leakage of electrolyte from within the container. When the pressure within the container exceeds a predetermined maximum, the cap 34 is caused to distend like a balloon, and this momen tarily enlarges thepinhole 35 to permit some of the gases to escape, thereby relieving the excessive pressure. The cap then immediately re-' sumes its normal position in which the pinhole 35 is closed.

In accordance with my present invention, it will be noted, especially upon viewing Figure l,

that the venting arrangement illustrated in Figure 2 and including the distendable cap 34 is positioned in its entirety below the upper level of the container, this being the direct result of con- .caving the wall 12 inwardly in the manner shown.

itself. Shipment and stacking are also facilitated by this countersunk arrangement.

While the form of Figure 1 is preferable for various reasons, especially from the standpoint of manufacturing simplicity and cost, I may carry out the salient objects of my invention in various other ways, illustrated in Figures ,3-6.

In Figure 3, I have shown .a top wall 3'7 which is similarly concaved downwardly toward the center, and I have shown an upward protuberance 38 provided with a vent 39. In this embodiment, no special annular groove, other than the groove that is naturally present by virtue of the shape and arrangement of the protuberance, is provided around the protuberance and the cap 40, having the pinhole 41, is adapted to fit over the protuberance 38 inthe manner shown, this cap having its open or lower end of smaller diameter than that of the body portion of the cap, whereby it may be sprung into position over the protuberance 38 and held in such position by virtue of its inherent resilience.

In Figure 4. I have shown a concaved wall 42 provided with an upward protuberance 43 and an annular grooveprovided by bending the portions 44 of the wall downwardly around the protuberance 43. The latter is provided with an opening or vent 45, and a cap 46 fits over the protuberance and has its lower edge accommodated in the groove around the latter. A pinhole 47 is provided as before. In many respects, this arrangement is the same as that illustrated in Figure 2, except that the clenching of the cap is accomlished by means of a tool or the like which forces the protuberance wall, at the portions designated by the reference numeral 48, outwardly against the cap.

After assembly, the construction of Figure 4 appears from the exterior of the device to be identical with that of Figure 2, and its advantages are the same except that the cap has been clenched into position by a slightly different operation and construction.

In Figure 5, I have shown atop wall 49 which is not concaved in the manner hereinbefore referred to, but which is substantially fiat, with the exception that a depression 50 is formed at its midportion, or, for that matter, at any other suitable portion thereof, within which the venting protuberance and cap are arranged. Thus, at the base of the depression 50 I provide the upward protuberance 51 having the opening 52 therein, and encircling the latter is the cap 53 with the pinhole 54 and having its lower edge clenched into position in the annular groove which is the natural consequent of the provision of the depression 50. More particularly, the cap is clenched by bending the wall inwardly at the points designated by the reference numeral 55, as, for example, by a revolving tool or the like. In this construction, it is to be noted that the cap 53 lies in its entirety beneath the level of the wall 49, so that the same advantages of inconspicuous and non-projecting arrangement are achieved. As a matter of fact, the construction of Figure 5 is in many respects superior to that of Figures 1 and 2, because of the increased security with which the cap 53 is held in position and because of the diminished likelihood of any accidental encounter therewith.

In Figure 6, I have shown a wall 56 which is substantially flat and which is provided with the upward protuberance 57 having the aperture 58 therein. Around this protuberance is a cap 59 with a pinhole 60, and this cap is clenched into position'around the protuberance 5"! by means of an entirely separate element or ring 61 which is applied as a clamping ring after the cap is in position. In this construction, the wall 56 may, obviously, be concaved as hereinbefore mentioned, or it may be provided with .a depression of the character shown in Figure 5 with the protuberance 57 and the cap 59 mounted at the base of the depression.

Obviously, other and similar variations will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art from the various illustrative descriptions herein contained; and in many respects certain features illustrated may be combined in a number of ways with other features and advantages.

Furthermore, the particular mounting of the electrode in the condenser and the manner of mounting the condenser upon a supporting platform, although preferred, is not essential so far as the other phases of my invention are concerned. Also, the advantageous venting characteristics herein illustrated and described are not necessarily restricted to electrolytic condensers and may find wide applicability in other analogous or non-analogous arts wherever a container or the like is provided with a venting aperture to permit escape of gases or for similar venting purposes.

Similarly, it is not essential that the protuberances be made integral with the walls upon which they are arranged, nor is it always necessary to provide a cap of the character described. For instance, the constructions of Figures 1-5 inclusive embody numerous advantages independently of the provision of caps for the venting protuberances.

It will be understood that the term countersunk and the term depression, as these terms are used herein and in the appended claims, in referring to the arrangement of the venting protuberance, are intended to signify an arrangement of the character herein described and illustrated, whereby the outer wall, such as the end wall 12 of Figure 1 of the device, is itself provided with a concavity or depression'purposefully provided so as to position the capped protuberance beneath the upper level of the device as a whole.

In general, it will be obvious that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electrolytic condenser, a substantially cylindrical electrolyte container having a substantially concave end wall, said wall being provided at its midportion with a perforated protuberance surrounded by an annular groove, and a cap for said protuberance having its lower edge positioned in said groove.

2. In an electrolytic condenser, a substantially cylindrical electrolyte container having a substantially concave end wall, said wall being provided at its midportion with a' protruding vent surrounded by an annular groove, and a cap over said vent and having its lower edge clenched into wardly convergent from said rim to depress substantially the midportion of the wall, the material of the wall being shaped and extruded to form at the point of convergence a perforated protuberance no higher than said rim, and a venting cap for said protuberance having its lower edge engaging around the base of said protuberance.

HAROLD I. DANZIGER. 

